Welcome to the machine. We at Quintal are
not just a bunch of theoretical whacks. The objective of all
this hype is the pocket
rocket, our wallet-sized communicator.
Designed to maximize the screen when we shrink the package, HEET
packs a minimum screen size of 199 pixels x 265 pixels. This
allows for a one pixel grid of 6 x 8 cells, each cell having
a 32 pixel x 32 pixel space. The 6 x 8 aspect ratio is convenient
because Data Surfer is about cards, particularly trading cards
and playing cards. While playing cards don't seem to have a particular
standard size, trading cards deÞnitely do, measuring 2-1/2
x 3-1/2 inches. This is a 5 x 7 aspect ratio, nice for a slim
screen, but add one horizontal row and one vertical column (column,
row, whatever) of like size "buttons" and we fatten
the screen up to a more respectable 6 x 8.

The screen with the one pixel grid, allows
standard 32 pixel x 32 pixel icons or tiles to be posted in the
cells. The entire screen can be a mosaic of 48 tiles with one
pixel grout lines. Naturally, the grout lines can disappear and
the mosaic form a single image with a border.

In mapping out an editors layout on a 480
x 640 screen the one pixel grid lines allow just enough room
for a 10 x 10 grid, an 8 x 8grid, one ten icon long button bar
with scroll controls, and three eight icon long button bars with
accompanying scroll controls. The desktop can provide the programming
tool to the pocket rocket through a window in the 8 x 8 grid.

But, if we want to take full advantage of
ALGO 4913, we must be mindful of that "awkward" 34
bit x 34 bit x 34 bit block that is the kernel of the system.
In a one bit deep, black and white slice this appears as a one
bit frame around a 32 bit x 32 bit black and white icon tile.
Edge to edge, a 6 x 8 mosaic of 34 bit tiles shows a two pixel
grid in the middle, sometimes useful for visually reading the
frame which may carry the code of the tile (icon) name. Therefore,
the screen should be a minimum of 204 pixels x 272 pixels. Add
an 8 pixel border to minimize "edge" effects and we
come up with a pre-ferred screen size of 220 pixels x 288 pixels,
very manageable by current matrix design standards.

In a micro display the screen is everything.
The rest is a control package. In maximizing the screen and minimizing
the package, the user controls mount in a perimeter frame that
protects the screen and dispenses with the keyboard. Since HEET
is designed as a game player, the frame is equipped with tandem,
pressure sensitive joy buttons, and dual A and B Þre buttons,
duplicated in an alternate position for comfort. As an airway
communicator, the device is net-wise with communication capabilities
for contacting other users directly.

HEET packs a lot of screen on a small shell,
with as much power as you can afford to cram inside.